U-17s go to camp

Sanity has finally prevailed with Majimbos starting their belated preparations for the seventh African Under-17 Championships in Togo next month.

A 22-member provisional team is expected to go into camp this morning to fine-tune themselves for the biennial continental tournament.

Serame Letsoaka, who was recalled last week to guide Majimbos, is contemplating taking the team to Mafikeng to begin their final preparations.

"We will have two intensive training camps, here at home before going to Lome. The first one in Mafikeng will focus in reshaping the team.

"The second one here in Johannesburg will focus on the various combinations. We will be playing a series of games with the 18 players who will be travelling to Lome."

There were concerns in various quarters that the South African Football Association were delaying in authorising the preparations for the Under-17 national side.

This was after Safa delayed in taking a decision regarding the appointment of a coach after Doctor Khumalo asked to be excused between March 17 to 24.

The eight-nation tournament starts on March 10, with South Africa taking on the hosts Togo at Kegue Stadium.

Letsoaka was brought back after Safa could not accede to Khumalo's request. Top Limpopo development coach Solly Luvhengo will deputise for Letsoaka. Some of the regulars in the team include Mzu Skhosana, Dylon Claasen, Thulane Serero, Thulane Ngcepe and Ramahlwe Mphahlele.

However, Sowetan has learnt that Classen, who was recently promoted to the Ajax Cape Town seniors from the academy, is lining up trials in Belgium.

Safa officials were trying to persuade Ajax to postpone the trials until after the Togo tournament. In terms of the plans, Classen is leading today.

Meanwhile, Luvhengo has joined SuperSport-Feyernoord Youth Academy as one of the development coaches.